Can end curling apparatus



Jam 22, 1963 c. J. SMITH ETAL CAN END CURLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 6, 1959 l M mi llll llhlrllhhnlllllahll |i|l|.||q M m/d uw QN w :w .N @l mf# .Nw ww E Sw wh @11 Vf EQ mk @a www ML 1 Q Q i.mfmlwl um@ N L v. o.. ..r. 0.1 lfI NS Il. .IIH /Ill lili ...nl :H SN /f .1|l www mm\ liwwwww mm Q\\ www wm n Tly www QMT S 111 I| Jan. 22, 1963 c. J. sMn-H ETAL CAN END CURLING APPARATUS Filed March e, v.1959

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Jan. 22, 1963 c. J. SMITH ETAL CAN END CURLING APPARATUS Filed March ve, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y @Mmm f Jan- 22, 1963 c. J. SMITH ETAL 3,074,462

CAN END CURLING APPARATUS Filed March 6, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 u o ma o m w u Q\ N H a J I| QJ-M i i 4g 3,074,462 CAN CURLlNG APPARATUS Clarence d. :Smith and Roger H. Stolrltpriat, Rockford, lil.,

assignors, by mesne assignments, to aiser aluminum fr Chemical Corporation, alaland, Calif., a corporation of lelaware Filed Mar. 5, 1959, der. No. '7el 7,767

l2 Claims. (Qi. 153-32) The present invention relates to a novel apparatus for curling margins of workpieces, and more particularly to novel apparatus for curling or forming a peripheral bead on workpieces such as can end closures and the like.

Presently available machines for curling can ends and the like are constructed so that rotary means convey the can ends around a circular path of travel during which successive ends are formed by a large roller and a series of curved segments. It will be appreciated that can ends are provided in various sizes, and prior apparatus usually require the provision of different forming devices or rollers for each dierent size of can end to be processed. Thus, adjustment for diierent cans is diicult and timeconsuming. This, of course, adds to the expense and maintenance costs of such apparatus and also requires the expenditure of substantial time and labor when adapting the apparatus for processing diferent sizes of workpieees.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for forming or curling peripheral margins of workpieces such as can ends and the like, which apparatus is of relatively simple construction and is more economical to produce and maintain than the rotary type can end curling apparatus heretofore in general use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus of the above described type which may be readily adjusted for accommodating and processing workpieces such as can ends and the like having different diameters.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus capable of curling or otherwise forming peripheral margins of workpieces at a relatively high rate as compared with the above discussed prior machines.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus of the above described type which is constructed so as to enable finished workpieces to be stacked simply and at a relatively high speed.

A more speciic object of the present invention is to provide a novel curling apparatus of the above described type which is constructed so that the `workpieces are advanced along a substantially straight line path of travel during processing thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FlG. l is a plan view showing an apparatus incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary simplified plan View of the apparatus showing certain features more clearly;

FlG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end elevational view or" the apparatus as seen from the left hand end of PEG. 3;

Fl". 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an element of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 6 6 in FlG. l;

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anaal PEG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional View taken along line 7 7 in FIG. 1;

HG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8 3 in FIG. 1;

FlG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. l;

PEG. l0 is a simplified plan View showing a lslightly modified form ofthe present invention;

FlG. ll is a plan view showing a modified form of the present invention;

FG. l2 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in FlCf. ll; and

FlG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken along line 13-13 in FlG. 12.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, an apparatus Ztl is shown which is adapted to form or curl peripheral margins of can ends or similar workpieces 22 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. The can ends are initially formed by suitable punch press means, not shown, in the usual manner so that they have the cross sectional configuration shown in FIG. 6. More specifically, each can end is provided with an inverted generally U-shaped marginal portion having opposed legs 24 and 26 joined by bight portion 23. The can ends may be fed directly to the apparatus Ztl from the punch press means, or suitable staclr type feed means may be provided. Since the means for feeding the can ends to the apparatus Ztl forms no part of the present invention, it need not be described or shown.

apparatus 2li is provided with a main frame 31) which includes an elongated generally horizontally disposed inverted channel member 32. An elongated bar or die block 3d is mounted on the frame member 32 for engaging and forming the peripheral margins of the workpieces or can ends in the manner described fully below. As shown in F GS. l, 6, 7 and 9 the elongated die block 34 is provided with a longitudinally extending groove in a side thereof so as to present a surface 36 having a desired cross sectional conguration, which surface is engageable with the periphery of a workpiece for causing forming or curling of the workpiece. Preferably the groove surface 36 is straight and of uniform size and shape throughout the length of the bar or die block 314i since this greatly facilitates economical production of the die bloclr. lt has been found that a groove surface 36 of a given cross sectional size and shape is capable of being used for curling or forming Workpieces or can ends having peripheral marginal portions of different sizes. Thus, tooling requirements and costs for the apparatus of the present invention may be substantially reduced. in the event that the range in the size of the can ends or workpieces is suciently great, a margin forming groove surface of a different size and shape may be required. This may be easily and economically accomplished by modifying the die block as shown in FIG. 5 so as to provide a second forming groove 33 at a side of the block opposite from the rst forming groove and having a desired different size and cross sectional configuration. The die block is mounted in the manner described below so that the opposite sides thereof can be selectively positioned for engagement with the workpieces.

The elongated die block 34 is mounted so that it may be laterali" adjusted t eickly and easily whereby to enable the apparatus 'to accommodate workpieces or can ends having different diameters. More specifically, pairs of members f3-d2, and dil-Sti .are Welded or otherwise secured to the top of the frame member 32 at longitudinally spaced intervals and extend transversely of the frame member for providing inverted T-slots.

the above mentioned restricted throat.

The elongated die block 3a is slidably disposed on top of these members. Clamping devices are associated with each of the pairs of i'slot members and the elongated die block for securing the die block in any desired adjusted position. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 these clamping devices respectively include bolts 52, 54 and 56 extending through apertures in the die block and having head portions 5S, 60 and 62 disposedwithin the T-slots providedby said pairs of members. Upper ends of the bolts are provided with threaded sections on which nut members A6d, 66 and 68 are assembled. Handle elements are secured to each of the nut members so as to enable the clamping devices to be quickly and easily tightened or released.

- ln accordance'with a feature of the present invention, workpieces or can ends are successively applied to the apparatus 2t) by any suitable means. Then the Workpieces are successively rolled along and forced against the forming surface of the die block 34. In order to accomplish this, an endless band 70 formed from flexible steel or any other suitable material is provided for engaging the peripheries of the workpieces oppositely from thedie block 3f.Y The band 70 encircles a drive pulley Y72 andan idler pulley 74 which are respectively rotatably mounted on shaftsl 76 and 78. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 suitable drive means is provided for driving the shaft 76. This means comprises a motor 80 which drives .the input shaft 82 of a speed reducing unit 84 through which is sold under the name Teilon is secured to a bar 162 xed to a support member 104 mounted on the frame member 32 as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 7.

YIt'is to be noted that the endmost section wear strip y 161i adjacent the pulley 74 is disposed so that the workpiece engageable course of the band 76 is initially spaced Vfrom the die block 34 a distance similar to the initial diameter of va workpiece so that a workpiece may be introduced between the band and the die block as shown, for example, in FIG. 6.` It is further to be noted that each workpiece'has a predetermined circumferential extent or circumference and that a first long section of wear strip 160 and support'm'ember 164 is of greater `'length than the overall circumference or predetermined 'circumferential extent of the Workpieces and is disposed in a vertical plane which gradually converges with the 'die block 34. A remaining relatively short section of the wear strip is disposed in a vertical plane which is 'substantially parallel to the die block 34. The result of this structure is shown best in FIG. 2 wherein it is seen that a rst relatively straight long section or portion 11i-6 of the workpiece engageable course of the band 70 gradually approaches the die block 34 until it reaches a restricted throat between the band and the die block which begins at 163. A second section 11i! Lof the workpiece engageable course is disposed parallel to the die block 34 and combines therewith to provide It will be appreciated that as a workpiece advances from left to right through the `apparatus as viewed in FG. 2, the workpiece will be progressively forced against the die block 34 and its margin will be curled and its diameter will be reduced as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. Further, advancement of the workpiece between the die block and the parallel band section 169 causes gauging of the workpiece so as to insure uniform and proper curling or v` forming of the entire periphery of theworkpiece.

It will be appreciated that a margin of a workpiece which is forced into the forming groove of the die block 34 will be supported by the die block against accidental vertical displacement. In order to support an opposite portion of the workpiece, an elongated guide bar 112 is mounted on the above mentioned T-slot providing members adjacent the bandi/'9, which guide bar extends for substantially the entire length of the die block. An upper guide or hold down bar 114 is adjustably supported above the bar 112, by screws 116 and 118. These screws respectively extend upwardly through bearing portions of brackets 120 and 122, and internally threaded hand knobs 124 and 126 are applied to the upper ends of the screws so as to facilitate vertical adjustment thereof. It will be appreciated that the bar 114 may be vertically adjusted so as to enable the apparatus to accommodate workpieces of different thicknesses. At the input end of the apparatus, short opposed guide members 12S and 130 are respectively aligned with and secured to the die block 34 and the guide bar 112. These short guide members which have exposed upwardly facing workpiece supporting surfaces are adapted to receive the workpieces from any suitable feeding means, not shown, and direct the workpieces into the forming groove of the die block and between the guide bars 112 and 114i.

At the discharge end of the apparatus, additional relatively short guide members 132 and 134 are respectively associated with the die block 34 and the guide bar 112. These guide members are similar to the guide members 123 and 130 discussed above in that they include exposed upwardly facing workpiece supporting surfaces and longitudinally extending side abutments for preventing lateral displacement of a workpiece. These guide members are adapted to direct successive iinished work- -rpieces to stacking means 136 which is shown in FIGS.

' piece retaining rods 146 and 142 have their lower ends adjacent Yto'the bottom plate 13S and extendV substantially perpendicular upwardly therefrom. A similar rod 144 is adjacent a rear margin of the bottom plate 13S and extends upwardly between the opposite side rods. These rods and the bottom plate thus provide an upstanding Ibut inclined workpiece receiving and retaining receptacle 146. In order -to support the rods of the receptacle 146 inthe desired position, a plurality of standards 148, 159 and 152 extend upwardly from a base member 154 which is secured to a frame member 156. Generally laterally extending bars 158, 160 and 162 are respectively welded or otherwise secured to the upstanding bars 140, 142 and144 and also adjustably connected with upper ends of the standards as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the laterally extending bar 158 adjustably extends through an aperture ina block 164 secured to the upper end of the standard 143, and a set screw or the like may be provided for securing the bar 158 with respect to the block 164. Similar means are provided for securing the other -laterally extending bars to the upper ends of the other standards. This enables the upstanding bars 140, 142 and 144 to be adjusted laterally relative to each other so as to provide workpiece receiving means of different sizes.

The stacking means 136 is further provided with a roller 166 fixed on a rotatable shaft4 168 between the guide members 132-134 and the upper edge of the plate 138. The shaft 168 is driven from a second output 'shaft 170 of the speed reducing means 84. This is accomplished by means of a drive belt 172 which encircles pulleys 174 and176 on the shafts 168 and 170 respectively. As indicated in FIG. 8, the roller 166 is located so that it is beneath an exposed lmargin of a stack 178 of workpieces or can ends supported on the plate member 138. Therefore as each successive workpiece 22 advances to the stacking means, a forward margin thereof is wedged between the roller ide and the bot-tom workpiece in the stack 178. The roller 166 is driven in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 8 so that it functions to advance each successive workpiece between the plate member i353 and the bottom of the stack. lt will be noted that the .forward upper margin of the plate member 133 is sharpened so as to facilitate entry of each successive workpiece between the plate member and the bottom of the stack.

A lbrief rsum of the manner in which the above described apparatus functions is as follows. The apparatus is, of course, first adjusted by properly positioning the elongated die block 34 and the upstanding bars of the stacking means for accommodating workpieces of a given size or diameter. The motor Sil is energized so that the endless band 7l? and the roller 166 are driven in predetermined timed relationship and at relatively high linear speeds with the linear speed of the periphery of the roller 166 being in excess of the speed of progress of the workpieces whose speed is one-half that of the band 7d. Then successive workpieces are advanced by suitable means, not shown, through the guide members 12S and 139 and to a position between the die block 34 and the section l@ of the band 7d. When the band 7i) frictionally engages a workpiece, the workpiece is driven by the band so that it is rolled against the die block so as to present the entire peripheral margin of the workpiece to the forming surface 36 of the die block. As the workpiece advances, it is forced against the die block and formed in the manner described above. Upon completion of the forming operation, the workpiece emerges from between the band itl and the die block 34 and is projected with considerable speed between the guide members 132 and 134 and into engagement with the bottom of the stack 17S and the roller 3.65. The roller ythen inserts the workpiece into the bottom of the stack in the manner described above.

As has been previously indicated, one advantage of the relatively simple structure described above and the substantially straight line advancement of the workpieces is that the workpieces may be processed much faster than is presently possible with rotary type curling machines. ln addition, the greatly improved production rate of the above described apparatus may be doubled, if desired, without unduly increasing the cost of the apparatus or the amount of door space required therefor. This can be accomplished by modifying the apparatus as shown in simplified form in FlG. l0. More specifically, in addition to all of the elements of the apparatus described above, the structure shown in FlG. l0 includes a second elongated die block Sb and a cooperable endless band 70h and supporting rollers ltb. It will be appreciated that the elongated die blocks and the endless bands and associated mechanisms of this structure may be mounted on a common frame and common drive means may be provided so that the structure is simpler and more compact than two entirely separate units.

FlGS. 1l, l2 and 13 show another modified form of the present invention which has the advantages of increased production of the apparatus illustrated by FIG. 10. ln addition Ithis embodiment has further advantages of even more simplified and compact construction. In general this embodiment is similar to the structures described above as indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the suiix c added to corresponding elements. In -this embodiment two elongated die blocks 34C are mounted in side oy side and spaced relationship with workpiece forming grooves 36C thereof facing in the same direction. A spacer 2M is disposed between the die blocks 3de, which spacer carries an elongated guide bar 2133 disposed between the guide bars 112e and )114e as shown best in FIG. 13. Opposite sides of the guide bar 233 respectively cooperate with the guide bars llc and :tide for defining two side by side paths of travel for can lids. The endless band 7de is widened so as to enable it to engage simultaneously can lids moving along both of these paths of travel. The apparatus is provided with suitable guide means Ztl and Zl respectively for delivering two lines of can lids into the above mentioned paths of travel and for receiving the can lids from the guide bars for delivery to a suitable point of discharge.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have Ibeen shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. An apparatus for forming peripheral margins of workpieces such as can ends and the like comprising means providing generally straight elongated workpiece forming surface means, and means including a movably mounted endless band including a generally straight portion disposed oppositely from said surface means and progressively approaching said surface means along a substantial length thereof for engaging the margin of a workpiece and' rolling a workpiece along and progressively forcing the workpiece against said surface means for causing forming of the workpiece by said surface means.

2. An apparatus for forming margins of workpieces such as can ends and the like comprising elongated die block means providing elongated workpiece forming surface means, an endless band including an elongated portion disposed oppositely from said surface means for rolling a workpiece along said surface means and progressively forcing said workpiece against said surface means for causing forming of the workpiece, means supporting said band for endless motion, means for guiding said band portion, said guide means and said die block means being spaced apart a predetermined distance adjacent first ends thereof between which workpieces may initially be inserted and having portions extending from said ends and relatively converging toward each other, and means for relatively adjusting said die block means and said band guiding means toward and away from each other for enabling the apparatus to accommodate workpieces of different diameters.

3. An apparatus for forming peripheral margins of workpieces such as can ends having a predetermined circumferential extent and the like comprising means providing generally straight elongated workpiece forming surface means, and means including a flexible endless band extending between pulleys located adjacent opposite ends of said surface means for rolling a workpiece along said surface means, and means guiding said endless baud for progressively forcing said workpiece against said surface means for causing forming of the workpiece by said surface means, said guiding means including a first portion of greater length than said predetermined circumferential eX- tent converging toward said surface means and a second portion of substantial length extending generally parallel to said surface means.

4. An apparatus, as dened in claim 3, wherein said guide means comprises a strip of self lubricating low friction material disposed along and engaging said sections of the flexible band.

5. An apparatus for forming margins of workpieces such as can ends and the like comprising power driven elongated endless band means encircling a pair of spaced apart pulleys, elongated generally straight die block means extending along and disposed in opposing relationship to one course of said endless band means extending between said pulleys, means mounting said die block means for adjustment toward and away from said one course of the endless band means for enabling the apparatus to accommodate workpieces of different diameters, and means progressively approaching said die block means and guiding said one course of the endless band means for caus- 27 v ing said endless band means to roll a workpiece along and progressively force said workpiece against said elongated die block means for causing forming of the workpiece by said die block means, said elongated die block means including elongated substantially straight groove means in a side thereof facing said one course of the elongated endless band means, said groove means providing a workpiece forming surface.

6. An apparatus, as defined in claim 5, wherein said elongated die block means includes elongated generally straight groove means in opposite sides thereof providing workpiece forming surfaces, said die block means being selectively positionable for presenting said opposite sides and the groove means therein toward said endless band means.

7. An apparatus for forming margins of workpieces Vsuch as can endsV and the like comprising a pair of endless `power driven band means respectively extending around first and second pairs of spaced apart pulleys and disposed so as to present elongated portions thereof in spacedapart opposing relationship, elongated `generally straight die block means extending between said portions of said endless band means and spaced from -bothof said band means portions, said elongated die block means presentingoppo- 'sitely facing elongated workpiece forming surfaces in opposing relationship to said portions of said endless band `means, and first and second guide means disposed for directing Asaid portions of said endless band means and respectively progressively approaching said oppositedly A facing surface means for rolling workpieces along said oppositely facing surface means and progressively forcing said workpieces against said oppositely Yfacing surface means for causing forming ofthe workpieces.

8. An apparatus for forming margins of workpieces such as can ends and the like comprising means providing a pair of adjacently disposed parallel elongated generally straight workpiece forming surface means facing in the same direction, guide means defining first and second adjacent parallel paths of travel respectively associated :with said pair of guide surface means for directingtwo i lines of workpieces into engagement with said pair of surface means, means including elongated endless means disposed in opposing relationship to both of .said surface f means for rolling workpieces simultaneously along both of Asaid surface means, and elongated guidemeans progressively approaching said surface means andrguiding said 'endless means for progressively forcing said workpieces against said surface means for causing forming of the workpieces by said surface means.

9. An apparatus for forming peripheral margins Vof workpieces, such as can ends and the like, comprising at least one elongated bar means provided with generally straight work-forming surface means, an endless band means including a generally straight portion mounted in spaced and opposed relationship to the ,work-forming surproachingk each other along a substantiallength thereof, means for motivating said band means and said band means upon the motivation thereof acting to roll a workpiece insertedrbetween said bar means and said'band means along and progressively force said workpiece against the said surface means of the bar means for effecting a formation of the peripheral margin of the workpiece by said surface means.

' face means of said bar means, said bar means and said band means being spaced apart arpredetermined distance adjacent oneV of the ends thereof and progressively apdisposed in opposed and spaced relationship to the workpiece forming surface means of said bar means, pulley Ymeans for actuating said band means, a portion of said band means also being so disposed'with respect to said bar means as to progressively approach the said'surface meansof the bar means,sa`idendles's band means acting to progressively force a workpiece Vinserted between said yband means and said bar means'-agai'nst the surface means of the barV means so -as to effect 'a formation of the workfpiece by the said surface means, means disposed adjacent the workpiece discharge end'of the workpiece forming surface means for receiving and stacking a plurality of formed workpieces,vsaid receiving and stacking means in- ,cluding a bottom support member, workpiece retaining means on said support member, said support member being inclined downwardly and away from the discharge end of said surface means for supporting'a stack of formed workpieces in an inclinedV position, driven roller means disposed intermediate saidsupport member and the discharge end of said surface means for engaging successive workpieces and forcing them between said support member and the lowermost previously stacked workpiece and cornrnon drive means for actuating said roller means and said pulley means in predetermined timed relationship.

11. In combination with an apparatus for forming margins of workpieces, such as can ends and the like, wherein the marginal edges of said can ends are formed into a predetermined configuration and saidapparatus comprises an elongated and relatively' straight workpiece forming surface means' and endless band means including a generally straight portion disposed'inY spaced and opposed relationship to said surface means, a portion of said band Vmeans Aalso being so disposed with respect to said surface means as to progressively approach the said surface means whereby said band means can roll a lworkpiece along and progressively force a workpiece against the said surface means of the bar means and cause the formation of the workpiece by said surface means, a workpiece receiving means disposed adjacent the discharge end of said surface means for retaining a plurality of formed workpieces in stacked relationship, said receiving means ini cluding an end member inclined relative to said elongated surface means, driven roller means disposed intermediate said end member and the discharge end of said surface yately adjacent said roller means and said path' of travel 55V References Cited in the file of this patent i UNITED STATES PATENTS 638,731 Macrae Dec. 12, 1899 698,523 Kohlhepp Apr. 29, 1902 866,505 Naysrnith Sept. 17, 1907 1,261,976 Thornburgh Apr. 9, 1918 1,287,207 Brenzinger Dec. 10, 1918 1,622,540 Peters Mar. 29, 1927 1,768,824 Bryant July 1, 1930 Y 2,022,949 Bell Dec. 3, 1935 V2,101,309 Burns Dec. 7, 1937 2,471,332 Lemmel May 24, 1949 2,745,462 Drygulski May 15, 1956 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR FORMING PERIPHERAL MARGINS OF WORKPIECES SUCH AS CAN ENDS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING MEANS PROVIDING GENERALLY STRAIGHT ELONGATED WORKPIECE FORMING SURFACE MEANS, AND MEANS INCLUDING A MOVABLY MOUNTED ENDLESS BAND INCLUDING A GENERALLY STRAIGHT PORTION DISPOSED OPPOSITELY FROM SAID SURFACE MEANS AND PROGRESSIVELY APPROACHING SAID SURFACE MEANS ALONG A SUBSTANTIAL LENGTH THEREOF FOR ENGAGING THE MARGIN OF A WORKPIECE AND ROLLING A WORKPIECE ALONG AND PROGRESSIVELY FORCING THE WORKPIECE AGAINST SAID SURFACE MEANS FOR CAUSING FORMING OF THE WORKPIECE BY SAID SURFACE MEANS. 